UPDATE: Chris Carter’s absence

UPDATE: Susan Slusser reports that Carter had the flu, not appendicitis as suspected, and will be returning to Mexico. She also says that talks with Adam Kennedy appear to be progressing well.

Chris Carter started his Mexican Pacific League stint in a super-Custian way, leading the league with four home runs and 14 strikeouts in 28 at-bats for Algodoneros de Guasave. But the top A’s prospect hasn’t played since Oct. 17 and has gone back to the U.S.A. with an undisclosed illness, according to scout.com (subscription required). It’s not certain if he’ll return south. Probably best to be cautious.

Another slugger, Grant Desme, is destroying Arizona Fall League pitching (1.564 OPS). Will he make it to Oakland next year? Eric Stashin at Bleacher Report isn’t terribly optimistic.

Tidbit: Mychael Urban tossed in a line that one reason Jason Giambi was released was that he didn’t think much of Bob Geren, not what a team with impressionable young players wanted in its clubhouse leader. A .193 batting average offered a more tangible reason.

Series time: Yankees in seven. Both lineups are powerful, starters about even, but it could get down to Rivera vs. Lidge. What’s your prediction?